Western Carolina University

A. The following examples shall constitute violations of Parking and Traffic Regulations.

Unauthorized Possession of a Parking Permit	$100*
Falsification of Registration Information	$100*
Illegal Use or Reproduction of Parking Permit	$100*

(*) Plus revocation of campus parking privileges for the remainder of the semester.

VIOLATION Queuing (A line of vehicles or people awaiting their turn to be attented to or proceed)	FINE $40
Parking in "No Parking" Zone	$40
Parking in Unauthorized Zone or Area	$40
Parking in a "Loading" Zone	$40
Blocking Trash Pickup Areas	$40
Parking in Fire Lane	$100 and tow
Blocking or Obstructing Traffic, Street, Crosswalk, Sidewalk, Fire Hydrant, Building, or Another Vehicle	$40
Parked Wrong Way on One Way Street or Parked in the Wrong Side of Street or Traffic Direction Lanes	$40
Parking Violation in Metered or Short-Term Parking Areas	$15
Parking on Grass or in Other Unpaved Areas Unless Specifically Identified as Parking Areas	$40
Not in Designated Parking Space or Parked Over the Line	$40
Parking in Handicapped Space	$250
Unauthorized Use of Handicapped Placard	$250

Obstructing a Handicapped Curb Cut or Access Area	$75
Parking in a Barricaded Area	$40 and tow
Unauthorized Parking in Reserved Space	$40 and tow
Moving Violation, i.e., Speeding, Red Light, Stop Sign, Etc.	$75
Non-moving Violations, i.e., Seat Belt, Equipment Defect, Expired Tag	$50
Operating a Vehicle Producing Loud Noise That Can Be Heard Greater Than 100' Such as Loud Muffler(s), Horns, Stereos, PA Systems.	$25
Pedestrian Violation	$25
Bicycle Violation	$25
Skateboarding/Roller Skating Violation	$25

Moving, non-moving, loud noise, pedestrian, bicycle, and skateboard/roller skating violations may also be violations of state law. It is left to the discretion of the police officer as to whether a campus or state citation is issued.

If a motorist decides to use his or her personal vehicle for a university purpose or function, such use does not grant the motorist any immunity from these rules.

B. Enforcement

1. Payment of Fines 

• Fines will be paid in accordance with the published and approved schedule.  
• Fines are payable at the Cashiers Office at the One-Stop Center .    

2. Towing and Impoundment of Vehicles

• The Director of Police may designate those areas on campus as wheel-lock or tow areas.
• Vehicles that are illegally parked, parked without a parking permit, or parked with voided, canceled, or an illegal parking permit, or parked illegally in a wheel-lock or tow area are subject to wheel-lock or towing. Towing, impoundment, and/or wheel-lock fees will apply.
• Generally, vehicles that are wheel-locked or impounded in the Police Department impound lot will only be released during the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. In verifiable emergency situations, the release of vehicles may be made at other than the above stated hours by special arrangements with police officers on duty. All fees and fines must be paid before a vehicle is released.
• Any motorist whose vehicle is wheel-locked or towed may file an appeal in the same manner as appealing a parking citation. The appeal shall be in writing and submitted to the SGA Traffic Court (students) or the University Parking, Traffic, and Safety Committee (all others).
• Any motorist who appeals the towing of his or her vehicle and whose appeal is not granted may appeal to the District Court [NCGS §116-44.4(i) (2)(c)].  

C. Disciplinary Action

• Students: Non-payment of fines will result in the student not being permitted to register for ensuing semesters until the indebtedness is cleared. Students who leave the University or who are candidates for graduation will not be issued diplomas or transcripts until the indebtedness is cleared. Individuals who leave the University owing parking fines are subject to having their income tax return garnished. 

D. Appeals  

• Faculty, staff, and students may appeal citations within seven days of receipt to the proper appeals board. Students may appeal citations by using the online appeal form at http://paws.wcu.edu/sga/Faculty and staff members, SGA Traffic Court justices, and elected or appointed members of the SGA executive staff, will appeal to the University Parking, Traffic and Safety Committee. Appeals can be filed with the secretary of the committee at the Parking Services Office during regular business hours. Appeals that are received more than seven days after issuance of a citation will be voided and will not be heard by the Appeals Court or Committee. 
  download Faculty & Staff Appeal Form (PDF)

E. Habitual Offenders

• A habitual offender is any motorist who receives three (3) or more parking and/or university traffic citations within one semester. Parking and/or university traffic citations that are successfully appealed are not counted.
• Any motorist who is deemed a habitual offender shall have his or her parking privileges revoked as follows:
• After receiving the third parking and/or university traffic citation within one semester, the motorist's parking permit shall be revoked for one week. The motorist may apply for restoration of the parking permit at the end of the week.
• After receiving the sixth parking and/or university traffic citation within one semester, the motorist's parking permit shall be revoked for two weeks. The motorist may apply for restoration of the parking permit at the end of the revocation period. The motorist shall be charged the full permit fee plus twenty-five dollars ($25.00) for restoration of the parking permit.
• After receiving the ninth parking and/or university traffic citation within one semester, the motorist's parking permit shall be revoked of three weeks. The motorist may not apply for restoration of the parking permit until the end of the revocation period. The motorist shall be charged the full permit fee plus fifty dollars ($50.00) for restoration of the parking permit.
• After receiving the twelfth parking and/or university traffic citation within one semester, the motorist's parking permit shall be revoked for the remainder of the semester or a period of four weeks during which classes are in session, whichever is greater. The motorist may not apply for restoration of the parking permit until the end of the semester in which the motorist is enrolled as a student or employed or the four-week period, whichever applies. The motorist shall be charged the full permit fee plus seventy-five dollars ($75.00) for restoration of the parking permit.

Any motorist who parks his or her vehicle on campus during the revocation period is subject to having his or her vehicle wheel-locked and/or towed. Wheel-lock and/or towing fees shall be assessed to the motorist.

A motorist who continues parking his or her vehicle on campus after the revocation period implies that he or she wishes to have his or her parking permit restored.